Two seats for three pretenders

Sporting stakes26.07.2014Stage 20- Bergerac / Périgueux

Out of the three best time trialists of the current era, Bradley Wiggins hasn't started the Tour de France, Fabian Cancellara has pulled out, so Tony Martin is the only one remaining. The world champion is a natural favourite for stage 20 from Bergerac to Périgueux on a distance of 54 kilometres, which is pretty long compared to what the riders have had to race against the clock in the most recent Tours. The German has already bagged a worthy stage victory in Mulhouse but he's for sure hungry for more. However, the course is designated for the most on form riders rather than for pure time trial specialists. Vincenzo Nibali doesn't have to worry about his lead but he has warned that he'll race as a leader, meaning that he's able to a fifth stage victory to his fabulous honour roll. But the main fight will happen just in front of him. Thibaut Pinot, Jean-Christophe Péraud and Alejandro Valverde are within fifteen seconds on GC. There are two seats for three on the final podium...

While Vincenzo's first victory in the Tour de France was already almost certain, France claimed back some of its past glory by placing two men on the race podium for the first time in 30 years after Saturday's final time trial in Perigueux, won by Tony Martin. The German's success was as predictable as Nibali's triumph yet the medal spots were up for grabs and Jean-Christophe Peraud used his experience and «rouleur» skills to clinch a runner-up spot while Thibaut Pinot...